One fifth suffer from work-related stress

This emerges from a survey conducted among 591 replies employed or self-employed workers in 2010, by the Richmond Foundation – a non-governmental organisation offering community services to those with mental health problems.

The study found that the people working longer hours were more likely to feel stressed. In fact, 71.5% of those who worked for 60 hours a week consider their job to be either ‘stressful’ or ‘very stressful’.

Due to stress or burnout in the last five years, 10.5% of respondents had to take leave of absence as a result. In the majority of cases (75%), the leave lasted up to one week, but in 10.5% of cases, the leave taken was for longer periods of time.

Perceptions of people with mental health problems emerging from the survey were rather negative.

Although the vast majority (92%) of respondents believed that anyone is susceptible to mental illness, 60% of respondents claimed that those with mental health problems can be unpredictable and violent and 54% believed that such people are ‘more dangerous by far than the general population’.

Despite these negative perceptions, 77% of respondents agreed that those with mental health problems can be cured and can return to their normal lives if they receive professional help. Some 44% of respondents felt that people with mental health problems can perform their tasks well, but 32% felt that they could only do so occasionally.

Some 24% of respondents claimed that they had experienced symptoms of mental or emotional health related problems. Of these, 73% had been professionally diagnosed by a medical doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

The study – which included interviews with stakeholders – refers to the lack of awareness of employers on how to deal with workers presenting mental health problems. Awareness and understanding were also low among the general public.

The study recommended the introduction of a helpline to assist employers, human resource managers and line mangers in dealing with employees who have mental health problems.

The study was compiled by the Centre of Labour Studies  and published on European Working Conditions Observatory (EWCO) ’s website.